FRESH CHERRY DESSERTS

Looking for a special treat for the American July 4th celebrations?

There is nothing nicer than fresh cherries, whether eaten by hand straight from a tree or buried in gorgeous desserts.

Here are a few of 67goingon50 favourites cherry treats: one wildly indulgent, one a dieter's delight, one quick and easy and another, a cheats' treat.

Lower-Sugar Cherry & Coconut Macaroons
Indescribably yummy lower-sugar Cherry Coconut Macarons inspired by the London Royal Opera House: low fat, quick & easy
'Yum.  The cherries make these very moist.' Taster

No-bake Cherry Garcia Cream Pie
 super-indulgence, contains alcohol, not healthy
'Alas my concealed stash of Cherry Garcia pie was discovered by persons unknown so I never did get to taste it - but everyone said it was delicious!' Garden Party/Fete organiser  

 Cherry Almond Slices, Dieters' Delight
Cherry Bakewell without pastry or jam, lower fat/sugar 
'Absolutely gorgeous; the sweet of my dreams!' Weight-watching Taster

Cheats' Black Forest Trifle

  Simple, light but ever-so-delicious, with a little help from supermarket sponge, custard and a tin of cherries (and/or fresh)  
'Fantastic.  Loved the bits of fruit; the sponge was chocolately without being dense and the cream wasn't heavy.'

This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.  

PRODUCTS RECENTLY TESTED BY 67GOINGON50 (2)

Products recently tested by the Blog:

Meridien 'Richer Roast' Crunchy Peanut Butter 

(nearly £3 for 280gms: Waitrose & other supermarkets)

The blogger has avoided Meridien peanut butter for years, believing   that any company that couldn't be bothered to blend the peanut butter and its layer of oil didn't deserve my money.

Recently unable to find my regular sugar-free brand (WholeFoods) the Meridien Richer Roast caught my eye.  Some clever person has re-thought the marketing, designed a new label and decided to highlight its qualities.  So even though it was not cheap, I tested it.     Reader, it was worth it!

The peanut butter is perfectly emulsified; it's a beautiful colour, the  texture is out of this world and it tastes really, fabulous (to my mind, much more 'adult' that Pipps).  In fact, it is so enjoyable, you won't need as much to satisfy a craving.  That's a bonus, calorie-wise. 

Including peanut skins, free of sugar and palm oil, the peanut butter scores high on the healthy meter.  

Dedicato Italian Spaghetti

(50p per packet, on offer at M&S; usual price £1)

 

The Blogger is not a great fan of supermarket pasta; I've been spoiled by pastas in Italian homes.  In fact, when the pasta urge strikes at 67goingon50, it's usually for wholemeal spelt pasta.  

So I was intrigued by this brand in M&S. The white packet - like most things in Italy - looks good.  The contents were good.  So good in taste and texture it brought back memories Italy.  I ate far, far more than I should have.  

The only shapes  I've seen at M&S are non-wholemeal spaghetti, twisty fusilli and striated penne but maybe there's a high-fibre version down the line.

If you don't read Italian - I don't - drop it into boiling water, turn heat down to simmer and leave for 9 minutes, stirring occasionally.  I served mine cold with 67goingon50's Italian Seafood Salad with Avocado & Grapefruit.

I am buying more of this brand!

Seggiano Raw Basil Genovese Pesto

(£6'ish for 200gm: Whole Foods, Barrets Butchers on Englands Lane and up-market delis)

£6 sounds a lot for a jar of pesto but when you take into account the cost of fresh organic basil, good olive oil (most jars contain sunflower oil) -  good parmesan and pine & cashew nuts, it is not extravagant.

And my goodness, it is terrific!  On pasta, hot or cold, on fresh wholemeal bread or toast, with cold potatoes.  And get this -- it is not over-salted!

Trust me, if Pesto is your thing, this one will knock your socks off.

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B Lee/Bright Sun Enterprises accept no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.

SWEET PASTRY DESSERT BISCUITS: easy special occasion indulgence

Delicate, thin and crispy - pretty little biscuits to accompany creamy desserts & fruit salads...

Sweet Pastry Cookies:
 'gorgeous little things but dangerous; one is never going to be enough!' 

These delightful crispy dessert cookies are the best accompaniment ever for mousses, ice cream and fruit salad.

They are actually made of sweet pastry from one of the best pastry recipes 67 has ever made -- or ever eaten - Candace Brown's Special Occasion Sweet Pastry from Great British Bake Off.  

Candice Brown (now running a country pub) made pie crust a a doddle for anyone frightened of pastry.  The pastry is made like cake: butter and sugar are creamed, eggs are added and then flour. 

The result?  Melt-in-the mouth pastry/biscuits not unlike the delicate sandy French sable.   

This recipe is saved for special occasions -- it's very rich with four egg yolks.  (Freeze the egg whites for meringues or make Grandad's Healthy Chocolate Raspberry Brandy Mousse).  67 made it slightly less unhealthy, replacing some white sugar with brown and some white flour with wholemeal - neither of which affected the delightful texture.

 

 

Sweet Pastry Biscuits

Cost: £1.75
Makes: 35'ish biscuits

Ingred:
   100gm/3 1/2oz unsalted soft butter
     75gm/2 1/2oz white sugar
     25gm/scant 1oz soft brown sugar

  4 egg yolks

  125gm/4 1/2 oz white flour
    59gm/1 3/4oz wholemeal flour
    25gm/scant 1oz ground almonds
    zest 1 lemon

Equipment: 2 baking sheets lined with silicone mats or greaseproof paper stuck down at the corners with some of the dough 

Method:

HEALTHY SUMMER PICNIC

This would be one of my happy picnic or happy meals with the emphasis on Healthy: low fat/cholesterol and carbs, lots of fibre, plenty of fresh vegetables or fruit.  Something for everyone.

Dieters Delight Ambrosial Tomato Gazpacho: Vegan, No cook

Dieters' Delight: Smooth & creamy but dairy free & minimal salt

A large thermos of this wonderful chilled tomato-based gazpacho, maybe with a bit of vodka for adults, is the perfect starter, served in cups in small portions. 

Lower-fat/Salt Spanokopita: Vegetarian, Butter-free cylinders of Greek Spinach, Egg & Feta Pie

Lower-fat & salt but fabulously tasty version of a Greek favourite...

For a picnic, form into 2 fat cylinders.  Either pack into stiff-sided containers and slice on site, or slice beforehand and pack with serviettes protecting each layer. 

Southern Spiced Unfried Chicken: inspired by you-know-who, this succulent crispy chicken is low-fat, low-calorie and delightfully spicy. 

The taste, crunch and juiciness of a high street brand but better
and much much healthier. 'Sensational!' Tasters

 

New Potatoes Vinaigrette:  Mayo-free, easy-peasy, with radish & red onion

This potato salad is flavoured with vinaigrette, not a creamy dressing and is so delightful you'll wonder why it's not offered more often. 

Pineapple slices/wedges served cold or at room temperature; juicy and glorious  on a hot day; prepare the day before

A bag of small multi-coloured tomatoes, celery & cucumber sticks

Copyright: This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.